Colombia lifts 1.5 million from energy poverty while warning of El Niño‑driven power risks

A government report released by the Ministry of Mines and Energy showed that multidimensional energy poverty in Colombia fell from 22.3 % of households in 2023 to 20.6 % in 2025, removing more than 1.5 million people (about 490 000 households) from the condition. The decline was most pronounced in the Caribbean region and in historically excluded territories. Officials credited the drop to programs such as Community Energy projects, the Colombia Solar initiative, expansion of natural‑gas service to hundreds of thousands of homes and the promotion of clean‑cooking technologies.

Separately, energy analysts warned that a strengthening El Niño episode could strain the country’s electricity system in late 2026 and early 2027. Projected drought would lower reservoir levels for hydroelectric plants, which currently generate roughly 70 % of Colombia’s power, forcing greater reliance on thermal generation, higher production costs and possible supply shortfalls. Regulators are considering measures to promote energy savings and accelerate solar and wind projects to offset the risk.